FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEKLY FEATURES

Week 7 Injury Update #1 Philip Gentles
October 18, 2005

Tiki Barber, RB, NYG
Stinger

Huddle Up: Giants RB Tiki Barber left the in the third quarter of Sunday's game with a minor stinger. Barber complained of pains in his neck and loss of strength in his arm. Barber quickly regained his strength and he was able to return to the field and finish the game. The Giants have not commented on the severity of the injury but it appears to be minor. He might be held out of practice on Wednesday as a precaution but he should be ready to go for the team's next game.

Drew Bennett, WR, TEN
Dislocated Thumb

Huddle Up: Titans WR Drew Bennett is out for a significant amount of time after undergoing surgery to repair a dislocated thumb. Bennett was injured in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game while trying to break up a pass from Steve McNair that was eventually intercepted by the Bengals. According to reports the team's medical staff couldn't get his thumb back into it's normal position. So the medical staff had a pin surgically inserted into Bennett's thumb and he will be reevaluated after 2 weeks. Unfortunately injuries like this require a lengthy recovery period. Bennett, who will be fitted for a cast, will have the pin for 3 - 6 weeks then once the pin is removed he will need to wear the cast for at least 2 more weeks and possibly up to 3 more months. Even though defensive players are allowed to play with padded casts it would be difficult for Bennett since his primary job is to catch the ball. With Bennett out look for Rookie Brandon Jones to be the Titans top receiver and Tyrone Calico to move back into the starting lineup.

Marc Bulger, QB, STL
Sprained AC joint

Huddle Up: Rams QB Marc Bulger left in the second quarter of Sunday's game after spraining the AC joint (Acromioclavicular) in his right shoulder and he did not return. Bulger was hurt when he was hit and his shoulder hit the ground during an interception return. He walked off the field holding his shoulder and was eventually escorted to the locker room for X-rays. The X-rays were negative but the team's medical staff diagnosed him with a sprained AC joint that could keep him sidelined for the next several weeks. Bulger will not practice this week and his availability for Week 7 is currently in doubt.

Keary Colbert, WR, CAR
Sprained Ankle

Huddle Up: Panthers WR Keary Colbert was finally getting involved in the team's passing game but a sprained ankle ended his day early. Colbert left Sunday's game in the first half after injuring his ankle and after being examined in the locker room he did no return. With the Panthers on a bye Colbert has an extra week to rest but his status for Week 8 remains questionable. We will let you know how he is doing next week.

Patrick Crayton, WR, DAL
Fractured Ankle

Huddle Up: The Cowboys initially feared that second-year receiver Patrick Crayton was lost for the season with a broken ankle. However after further examination the team's medical determined that Crayton suffered a bad sprain that will keep him out for the next 4 - 6 weeks. Head coach Bill Parcells told reporters that X-rays revealed some bone chips in his ankle that they believe came from an old high-school injury. But according to reports an MRI showed damage to his ankle ligaments that could keep him out until Week 12.

Jake Delhomme, QB, CAR
Concussion

Huddle Up: Panthers QB Jake Delhomme left in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game after being knocked unconscious by a Lions defender. Delhomme quickly regained consciousness on the field but had to be helped to the sideline by the team's medical staff. He was reportedly feeling dizzy after the game and was told by team physicians not to speak with reporters. Head coach John Fox did not call the injury a concussion but that fact that he was unconscious for a period of time means that he indeed suffered some kind of concussion. The Panthers are hoping that he will be fine after their Week 7 bye but they will reevaluate Delhomme at the end of the week.

T.J. Duckett, RB, ATL
High Ankle Sprain

Huddle Up: Falcons RB T.J. Duckett left the locker room following Sunday's game with a walking splint on his right ankle after suffering a high-ankle sprain in a carry during the second-quarter. X-rays in the locker room were negative but he did not return to the game. Head coach Jim Mora did not have any updates on Duckett during Monday's press conference but Duckett was seen wearing a walking boot and according to team officials he is still being evaluated. High ankle sprains typically require at least two week's of rest so don't be surprised if he's out for Week 7. But we will keep an eye on his recovery and give you an update on Friday.

Brian Griese, QB, TB
Torn ACL and MCL

Huddle Up: It looks like Bucs' QB Brian Griese will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee. Griese was hurt late in the second quarter when he was tackled by Dolphins' LB Zach Thomas. Bucs' RB Michael Pittman actually threw a cut-block on Thomas that forced him to roll up on Griese's leg. After being examined on the field the team's medical staff called for the cart but Griese decided to limp off the field instead. Despite several reports saying that Griese was out for the year Head coach Jon Gruden declined to reveal the specifics of the injury but he did tell reporters that Griese was seeking a second opinion. Chris Simms will take over for Griese if he lost for the season.

Joe Horn, WR, NO
Strained Hamstring

Huddle Up: Saints veteran WR Joe Horn, who missed the last two games with a strained hamstring, made his return to the field on Sunday against the Falcons. Unfortunately he felt his hamstring tighten up in the first half and he took himself out before he could make a catch. Horn's status for Week 7 is unknown but it looks like he may need at least another week's of rest. Horn is not expected to practice on Wednesday and even if he returns on Thursday he probably won't be allowed to run at full speed until Week 7 pre-game warm-ups.

Kevin Jones, RB, DET
Shoulder Injury

Huddle Up: Lions RB Kevin Jones left Sunday's game in the first quarter after injuring in his shoulder. Jones was able to return in the third quarter and finish the game with the assistance of a brace. The Lions have not released the specifics of Jones' shoulder injury but he will not practice on Wednesday and he could be limited on Thursday and Friday. The good news is that Jones was able to return to Sunday's game so there is a decent chance that he will be able to play in Week 7. If he can't look for Artose Pinner to get the carries.

Huddle Up: Raiders WR Randy Moss could be out for at least a week after suffering bruised ribs, a bruised pelvic bone and straining his right and left groin in the first quarter of Sunday's game. Moss was injured when he was hit by a pair of Chargers' defenders while they fought for an underthrown pass. Moss landed awkwardly with both defenders on top of him and he had to be helped off the field. The team's medical staff attended to him on the sideline and he was allowed to return to the game in the second quarter but he experienced a tremendous about of pain when he ran so he left the game for good. According to reports X-rays on his ribs and pelvis did not reveal any breaks and an MRI done on both legs did not show any muscle tears but he was feeling extremely sore and Monday and the team doesn't think he will be able to practice this week. Team officials aren't optimistic about his chances of playing in Week 7 but we will know more about his status on Wednesday when the official injury report is released.

Clinton Portis, RB, WAS
Strained Calf

Huddle Up: Redskins RB Clinton Portis, who was limited in practice last week with a strained calf, aggravated the injury during Sunday's game against the Chiefs. Portis was hurt during a carry in the first half. He left the game for a while but he was able to return to the field and finish the game. Portis told reporters that his calf wasn't feeling too bad and that he expected to play in next weekend's game. The Redskins might hold him out of practice as a precaution but he should be back on Thursday and ready to go for Week 7.

Michael Vick, QB, ATL
Sprained MCL

Huddle Up: Falcons QB Michael Vick gave his team a scare after he appeared to re-injure his sprained right knee. Vick's leg was hit by a Saints defender during a 3rd down run in the first quarter. Vick fell to the ground where he remained for several minutes before being helped to his feet by the team's medical staff. He jogged off the field and was going to sit out an offensive series but when the Saints scored to take a 7-3 lead Vick went right back into the game. He did complain of pain in his knee but he was able to stay in the game and he even had a crucial run in the fourth quarter that set up the game-winning field goal. Vick's knee was reportedly sore and stiff on Monday but the team expects him to start in Week 7.

IDP Report

Panthers' DL Julius Peppers broke his right hand during Sunday's game but he isn't expected to miss any games. Peppers was injured in the second half and was taken to the locker room where X-rays revealed a broken bone. He was seen wearing a cast following the game. According to reports the injury could take anywhere from 6 - 8 weeks to completely heal but Peppers will continue to play. The team's medical staff will fit him for a padded cast that will allow him to participate in practice and games. Eagles' DL Jerome McDougle, who was very close to making his return after being shot in the stomach a day before the start of training camp, underwent what the team called emergency surgery on Monday to correct an internal hernia. Head coach Andy Reid told reporters that the hernia was caused by the scar tissue that had formed inside his stomach from the gunshot wound and that it was causing McDougle great pain and discomfort. Reid did not how much longer McDougle would be out but don't be surprised if he doesn't play this season. Dolphins' DL Jason Taylor suffered some kind of foot injury during Sunday's game was seen with crutches on Monday. According to reports Taylor's foot began to swell following the game but team officials have not said what the injury is. Taylor will probably be held out of practice until at least Thursday and he will be listed as questionable for Week 7.

Patriots' LB Tedy Bruschi, who was originally expected to miss the entire 2005 season, has been given clearance by several outside cardiac specialists and the team's medical staff to return to the practice field and according to several reports he will be back with the Patriots on Wednesday. Bruschi has made a quick recovery from heart surgery and he has apparently been told that there is no medical reason to delay his return to the team. He probably won't be very productive if he actually gets clearance to play in a game but at this point it is just great to see him make it back this far in such a short period of time. Panthers' LB Dan Morgan left Sunday's game in the second half with dislocated shoulder and his status for the team's next game in Week 8 is currently up in the air. Morgan had to be carted off the field and while X-rays were negative he apparently suffered damage to the glenohumeral joint. Head coach John Fox said that the team is considering different options to treat Morgan's injury but he did not know how long Morgan would be out. The Panthers have a bye in Week 7 so don't expect to hear much about this until sometime next week. Texans' LB Kailee Wong will miss the remainder of the season after tearing the patella tendon in his right knee during Sunday's game. Wong will undergo corrective surgery at some point over the next couple of days and the Texans are hoping that he will be ready for the start of the 2006 season.

Seahawks' DB Ken Hamlin is out indefinitely after suffering a number of serious injuries during a fight outside a club on Sunday night. Hamlin, who is in serious but stable condition, suffered a fractured skull, a small blood clot and bruising of the brain tissue and according to reports he will remain in intensive care for the next few days. Hamlin is currently battling for his life so there is a good chance that his 2005 season and his NFL career is over. Ravens' DB Ed Reed will miss at least one week after suffering a high right ankle sprain and a sprained knee during Sunday's game against the Browns. X-rays on Reed's leg came back negative but a source close to the Ravens told The Huddle that an MRI revealed a syndesmosis sprain (sprain of the ligament just above the ankle joint and between the tibia and fibula) and minor ligament damage in his knee. There is a good chance that Reed will miss more than a game so prepare to be without him for a while to come. Broncos' DB Champ Bailey left in the third quarter of Sunday's game after aggravating his left hamstring injury. Bailey, who was sore on Monday, said he felt his hamstring tighten up during the game and he knew right away that he would not be able to continue. Bailey will work with the training staff over the next couple of days and he will attempt to run with the team towards the end of the week. But while he remains optimistic about his chances of playing the team will wait to see how he does in practice before they make a decision on his Week 7 availability. The Broncos also lost two more DBs to injuries. Nick Ferguson left Sunday's game in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle and while X-rays were negative he was unable to return and he is questionable for Week 7. Sam Brandon could be out 3 - 4 weeks after suffering a partially torn pec muscle in his chest during Sunday's game. Surgery is reportedly not an option at this point but the team will wait to see how he responds to treatment over the next few days before they make a decision on his rehab. Bucs' DB Dexter Jackson was forced from Sunday's game after aggravating his right hamstring injury. Jackson did not return to the game and according to reports he will be held out of practice on Wednesday while he recovers. The Bucs are off this week and his status for Week 8 is currently unknown.